Rhode Island passes law restricting number of self-checkout lanes allowed in stores

notthebee.com ^ | Jul 3, 2026

[V_TWIN]

Rhode Island has become the first state to take on big ... self-checkout?

Legislation passed and signed in the Ocean State limits the number of self-checkout lanes a store is allowed to have, and it's based on the ratio of normal checkout lanes with cashiers. The goal is to protect jobs.

Here's WPRI:

'Today, we're protecting jobs and strengthening customer service,' [Rhode Island Governor Dan] McKee said. 'Whether it's helping a customer with an issue, assisting a senior, or ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, this law is about preserving choice and keeping people at the center of the shopping experience.'

Stores have to have one manned checkout lane open for every three self-checkout lanes.

They also have to have an employee who oversees the self-checkout area, and that employee is not allowed to be assigned any other tasks while they stand around watching people self-checkout.

The law also states that stores all have to have a manned register to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

And if you don't abide by these restrictions, it'll cost you $1,000 a day!

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[V_TWIN]

The policy of not even attempting to deter shoplifting only emboldens thieves to do it more.

And who ends up taking it in the shorts with higher prices due to pilferage?......the law abiding consumer.

[MayflowerMadam]

I hate self checkout. If they want to give me a 10% discount in my bill for doing someone else’s job I might consider it.

At our Walmart they installed a huge number of self checkout lanes, which lasted for about a year. People hated and avoided them. Then they put it back to the old way.

I’ve heard that it’s easier to start using those lanes, but IDK if that’s true.

[MayflowerMadam]

The Food City employees here take the items out of the cart, scan, and bag. It’s great.

[MayflowerMadam]

What about the people who don’t scan some of their items and walk out the door?

[AppyPappy]

What I really love is no bagging. Everything goes back in the buggy to take to the car. I have real bags in the car. I don’t want to deal with a human. I’m a grown azz man, 44 years as a programmer. I can do this all by myself.

[Magic Fingers]

“I can only think of one reason to self check out with a cart load.”

I can think of another. At a Kroger’s (Fry’s in Phoenix) a few days ago, mid-day on a weekday, the “super store” had a grand total of ONE register staffed and 7 customers in line (most with full carts). The option was to slog through self check out or wait for...IDK, maybe 30 minutes?

[suthener]

“What about the people who don’t scan some of their items and walk out the door?”

Sam’s manually verifies regular check out, but I couldn’t explain how they do it with scan and go but here is the AI explanation and it’s accurate:

Sam’s Club verifies Scan & Go purchases using a combination of mobile app verification and AI-powered exit archways. When using the app, members scan items directly to their cart and receive a dynamic barcode for exit. Traditionally, staff at the door scan this barcode and manually verify a few items in the cart to ensure accuracy.

To eliminate this wait, Sam’s Club has deployed AI and computer vision technology at exit gates. These systems capture 360-degree images of the shopping cart and use artificial intelligence to automatically match the cart’s contents against the member’s recent transaction data.

Scan and go actually eliminates the manual check as well as regular check out. I love it.

[MayflowerMadam]

I figured they would have a super-tech way to thwart the cheaters

[Lurker]

Just saw that the other day.

Loved it.

L